Hyperlinks or buttons ...?! (WinNT4, Word97)

Is there a way to either set a hyperlink in a Word document so that when clicked on it will RUN the template the link points to, or to put buttons of some sort in the document that can be clicked on to give the same effect? I don't mind if it has to be protected, the document is just a reference list of the names of templates from which I would like to be able to allow my users to run the templates without having to go elsewhere to do so.

To give a bit of background, we have over 2500 templates and I have been asked to set up copies of each template (for people to look at in order to identify the one they want) and a master list from which they can click on one button/link/(whatever) to view the copy, and another to run the template in each case.

Re: Hyperlinks or buttons ...?! (WinNT4, Word97)

I think that a master list with more than 2500 hyperlinks or buttons or whatever is unwieldy.
I would try to divide the templates into categories and subcategories; then you would need a user form with 3 list boxes or combo boxes to let the user select a template, and 2 command buttons: View and Run. With 15 categories, 15 subcategories per category and 15 templates per subcategory you have more than 3000 items (15x15x15), yet the user can find every item in 3 clicks.
You will need code to update the list of subcategories when the user selects a category, and to update the list of templates when the user selects a subcategory. It would be easiest to store the list of categories etc. in a database, then you can use DAO methods to retrieve them.

Re: Hyperlinks or buttons ...?! (WinNT4, Word97)

Thanks, Hans, but that's not feasible in this case. The templates are already divided down in to departmental lists, but I want a document from which they can click on a link to view the master copy, then if that's not what they want, close that and go back to the list to look at another one as many times as necessary, then when they find the one they want, instead of having to remember the name, go to File, New and find it to run it, just click on another link next to the name to run the template.

It therefore has to be a document, not a user form. I've looked at making it a web page (it will be accessed through our intranet) but that seems to offer even fewer options and still won't let me run a template as opposed to open it from the page.

Re: Hyperlinks or buttons ...?! (WinNT4, Word97)

Hi Beryl:
How about this. Create a 2 column table. In the first column, create a hyperlink to each template. In the seond column, insert a macrobutton field that runs a macro that will insert your corresponding template. You could have the macrobutton's display text be the same as the hyperlink display text (i.e. the template name). You might want a 3rd column that could describe the purpose of the template.

But I think you end up with 2500 macros...one for each template...unless one of the VBA experts has some magic.

Re: Hyperlinks or buttons ...?! (WinNT4, Word97)

Yes, I had briefly looked at macro buttons, <img src=/S/eyeout.gif border=0 alt=eyeout width=15 height=15> but since I only discovered them this afternoon in trying to find a way to do this <img src=/S/sigh.gif border=0 alt=sigh width=15 height=15> I hadn't got as far as finding out what they did or how they worked! <img src=/S/starstruck.gif border=0 alt=starstruck width=15 height=15>

And yes, I was afraid that if I went the macro route I would end up writing 2500 macros <img src=/S/yikes.gif border=0 alt=yikes width=15 height=15> ... not impossible to write, but maintaining them afterwards, as the lists have templates added, changed, moved and removed, would be a real pain! <img src=/S/bummer.gif border=0 alt=bummer width=15 height=15>

Surely there must be a way to run a template from a clickable item? <img src=/S/hmmn.gif border=0 alt=hmmn width=15 height=15> Is it possible in a web page, perhaps? I haven't found a way but there might be one ... <img src=/S/confused.gif border=0 alt=confused width=15 height=20>

Re: Hyperlinks or buttons ...?! (WinNT4, Word97)

Hi Beryl:
Maybe one of the VBA experts can answer that. The thought of maintaining 2500 templates, macros, or bookmarks is staggering. <img src=/S/time.gif border=0 alt=time width=23 height=39> Of course, as long as you didn't rename your templates, you could modify them to your hearts content without having to change any macro. Maybe they could "standardize" a little more. <img src=/S/smile.gif border=0 alt=smile width=15 height=15>

Re: Hyperlinks or buttons ...?! (WinNT4, Word97)

Yes, it is a bit - although I have to say that a fair number are duplicates. For instance, there are a couple of dozen that are in every department's directory, which accounts for a good chunk of them!

It doesn't reduce the number of macros that would be required, of course, since they would have to be repeated in each department's list, but it does go a good way towards explaining the number!